6. Recommendations for future enhancements to course
Social Networking 1
The course structure could be improved by more integrated use of the VLE and other Web 2.0 tools. Use of the VLE could also be a vehicle for improving IT and information literacy skills (NHS Education for Scotland) to enable learners to become more independent in their ability, evaluate the quality of information sources, fitness for purpose and their ability to combine and apply knowledge to address key questions.
The VLE could also be used for many of the individual and collaborative activities that are currently classroom-based, such as reflection, peer review, self-assessment as well as communication with and feedback from the tutor. Wider use of the VLE might also enhance the learning experience of students studying flexibly, who could otherwise become isolated – but since they do not participate in the IT unit available to the full-time students, diagnostic assessment of IT literacy skills and support would be needed.
Of course wider use of the VLE will mean additional demands on the tutor, particularly in the early stages of the course when more support and online interaction will be needed to familiarise students with the approach and to demonstrate and model the strategy. This would be encompassed in an extended induction.
In addition, if students are to be assessed, rubrics for assessing participation in online discussions will be needed (Ko & Rossen, 2010). There is no evidence that these are in place.
6. Recommendations for future enhancements to course
The VLE could also be used for many of the individual and collaborative activities that are currently classroom-based, such as reflection, peer review, self-assessment as well as communication with and feedback from the tutor. Wider use of the VLE might also enhance the learning experience of students studying flexibly, who could otherwise become isolated – but since they do not participate in the IT unit available to the full-time students, diagnostic assessment of IT literacy skills and support would be needed.
In addition, if students are to be assessed, rubrics for assessing participation in online discussions will be needed (Ko & Rossen, 2010). There is no evidence that these are in place.
1 - Social Networking image by Aha-soft, licensed under Creative Commons (Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported)